Hand tool connection and trim collar therefor

ABSTRACT

A connection between a hammer head and a handle resting in the eye of the head but free of direct contact therewith to provide an annular space extending fully around the handle includes a pre-formed annular trim collar at the entrance end of the eye, a pair of non-crushable metal fillers traversing the axis of percussion of the tool head and an impact resistant resin bonding the assembly together. The collar is comprised of an exposed trim portion and a concealed plug portion having substantially the same cross-sectional dimensions as the annular space. The plug portion is disposed within the annular space by a force fit connection to effectively seal the entrance end of the eye and a tapered exterior trim surface extending from the shoulder toward the handle.

United States Patent 1191 Shepherd, Jr. et al.

1451 Apr. 1, 1975 HAND TOOL CONNECTION AND TRIM COLLAR THEREFOR [75]Inventors: Warren Arnold Shepherd, Jr.,

Warren Township, Hartford County; Paul Allison Ketchpel, Jr., Simsbury;Edward John Johnson; Frank George Biondi, both of New Britain, all ofConn.

[73] Assignee: The Stanley Works, New Britain,

Conn.

22 Filed: Sept. 12,1973

21 Appl. No.: 396,523

[52] US. Cl. 145/29 R, 145/29 B, 145/36 [51] Int. Cl B25d 1/00 [58]Field of Search.... 145/29 R, 29 B, 30 R, 30 A, 145/30.5, 61 R, 61 A, 61C, 61 D,

145/61 E, 61 F, 61 K, 61 M; 403/240,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 374,483 12/1887 Maloney403/243 2,831,202 4/1958 Lay 145/29 R X 3,578,825 5/1971 Merrow 145/29 RX 3,779,296 l2/l973 Echeverria.... 3,792,725 2/1974 Burgeson 145/29 RPrimary ExaminerAl Lawrence Smith Assistant ExaminerMarc R. DavidsonAttorney, Agent, or FirmPrutzman, Hayes, Kalb & Chilton [57] ABSTRACT Aconnection between a hammer head and a handle resting in the eye of thehead but free of direct contact therewith to provide an annular spaceextending fully around the handle includes a pre-formed annular trimcollar at the entrance end of the eye, a pair of noncrushable metalfillers traversing the axis of percussion of the tool head and an impactresistant resin bonding the assembly together. The collar is comprisedof an exposed trim portion and a concealed plug portion havingsubstantially the same cross-sectional dimensions as the annular space.The plug portion is disposed within the annular space by a force fitconnection to effectively seal the entrance end of the eye and a taperedexterior trim surface extending from the shoulder toward the handle.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures HAND TOOL CONNECTION AND TRIM COLLARTHEREFOR The present invention relates generally to hand tools of thepercussive or impact type such as hammers and the like. Moreparticularly, the present invention is concerned with the connectionbetween the head and the handle of such tools and finds particularapplication in hand tools using handles made from synthetic materialssuch as fiber reinforced plastics and the like.

With the advent of low cost synthetic materials considerable interesthas been generated in the use of fiber-glass reinforced handles for handtools and the like. However the traditional means of interconnecting thehandle with the tool head such as a hammer head has involved the use ofthe usual wedges and these wedges have proven unsatisfactory forsynthetic materials due to the tendency of such materials to split anddelaminate. Accordingly, efforts have been directed toward the use ofsuitable bonding adhesives of the impactresistant type. However, inorder to provide an effective and long lasting connection it has beennecessary to assure positive bonding of the handle along a major axialextent of the eye within the tool head. This, in turn, has necessitatedprovisions for a gap or space between the head and the handle along asubstantial portion of the eye to accommodate the resin and has requiredthe use of aligning devices to accurately hold the two spaced componentsin an aligned condition during the application and curing of the bondingresin. In order to provide proper positioning of the head relative tothe handle, the fixturing of these components necessarily introducesadditional manufacturing operations and costs that detract from theadvantages of using such materials. Additionally, an unsightly gap isvisible between the eye of the tool head and the handle at the end ofthe eye from which the handle protrudes. Al-

though this gap can be covered with a trim collar to provide a finishedappearance, the collar is merely a decorative band serving only anaesthetic function.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved connection between the handle and the head of an impacttool that includes a trim collar construction extending into the eye ofthe tool head for a short distance for providing proper alignmentbetween the tool head and the handle positioned within the eye of thetool head while sealing the gap therebetween during the application of asuitable bonding resin capable of forming a firm interconnectiontherebetween.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedhandle connection of the type described which utilizes a trim collarcapable of providing the necessary alignment between the handle and thetool head without fixturing while at the sametime imparting improvedappearance to the assembly and facilitating the formation of a tight,effective connection having a prolonged and useful life. Included inthis object is the provision for a trim collar of non-impacttransmitting character that extends into the eye of the tool head toprovide a force fit connection and seal between the eye and the toolhandle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved connection of the type described that incorporates the use ofcrush resistant fillers capable of assisting the bonding material inimproving the compression load-carrying characteristics of the toolparticularly during nail pulling or similar applications that subjectthe handle connection to substantial compression forces.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tool handleconnection including a trim collar capable of preventing leakage of thebonding resin during assembly while at the'same time substantiallyreducing the need for fixturing in order to provide proper toolalignment and balance between the striking face of the tool and thehandle. Included in this object is the provision for a new and improvedinterconnection between a tool head and a fiberglass handle ofacharacter which provides no direct contact between the tool head and thehandle yet provides the aforementioned sealing and aligning capabilitieswhile providing an attractive tool of high quality.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in moredetail hereinafter.

These and related objects are accomplished in accordance with thepresent invention by providing a hand tool comprised of a tool headhaving an eye extending entirely therethrough and having an entrance endand an outer end, a reinforced fiber handle having a portion positionedwithin the eye and being free of direct contact with the tool head toprovide an annular space extending fully around the handle and axiallyalong the entire length of the eye, a pre-formed annular trim collarsealably interconnecting the handle and the tool head at the entranceend of the eye and a bonding resin providing a tight and durableinterconnection therebetween. The tool head is provided with a strikingsurface and an axis of percussion extending through said head from saidstriking surface and intersecting the eye at substantially a right angleto the axis thereof. The reinforced fiber handle portion extends withinthe eye a sufficient distance to intersect the axis of percussion butthe trim collar is positioned so as to be essentially non-impacttransmitting. The annular trim collar is comprised of an exposed trimportion and a concealed plug portion having substantially the samecrosssectional dimensions as the annular space around the handle and isdisposed within the space to effectively seal the space at the entranceend of the eye. The plug portion is held in position by a force fitinterconnection with the tool head and handle. The trim portion includesan outwardly projecting shoulder for engaging the tool head adjacent theentrance end of the eye and a tapered exterior trim surface extendingfrom the shoulder toward the handle. The bonding resin is disposedwithin the annular space sealed by the trim collar and extends towardthe outer end of the eye through the axis of percussion for bondablyjoining the head, handle and trim collar in a tight effectiveconnection.

A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, propertiesand relations of the invention will be obtained from the followingdetailed description and accompanying drawing which set forth certainillustrative embodiments and are indicative of the various ways in whichthe principle of the invention is employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING bodiment of the handle connection ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end view of the hammer of FIG. 1 with thebonding resin removed for greater clarity of illustration, and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the trim collar used in theconnection shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing ingreater detail wherein like reference numerals indicate like partsthroughout the several figures, the invention is shown as embodied in ahammer having a forged steel hammer head of the claw type provided onone end with the usual poll and bell 12 including a striking surface 14,

at the other end with bifurcated claws l6 and with an intermediate,transversely projecting shank or neck portion 18. A handle-receiving eyeextends centrally through the entire head 10 passing axially through theshank l8 and is provided with an entrance end 22 at the free end of theshank l8 and an enlarged outer end 24. The axis of percussion 26 of thetool head 10 extends from the striking surface 14 rearwardly toward theclaws l6 and intersects the eye 20 at substantially a right angle to theaxis thereof. The eye is of a conventional size and shape such that thecross-sectional area within the eye is substantially uniform andunchanged from the entrance end 22 inwardly to a point approximatelyone-third along the axial length of the eye. In the specific embodimentillustrated the aforementioned uniform eye size is provided alongsubstantially the full length of the neck or shank portion 18 up to abreak point indicated generally by the numeral 30.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the side walls 32, 34 of the eye 20 taperoutwardly with a very minor or slight flair or divergence from the breakpoint toward the outer end 24. However, as will be apparent, theprinciples of the present invention will apply equally well if the sidewalls are substantially parallel throughout their full extent or eventaper inwardly in slightly converging fashion toward the outer end ofthe eye. The front and rear walls, 36,38, respectively, of the eyeexhibit a substantially greater divergence than the side walls so thatthe cross-sectional area in the eye increases gradually from the breakpoint 30 to the outer end 24 of the eye. While the amount of taper orslope of the front surface 36 or rear surface 38 may vary, it will beappreciated that the contour or shape of the eye, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 is substantially the same as that exhibited byconventional tools of this type. Consequently it is clear the presentinvention may utilize existing equipment and manufacturing techniquesfor the tool head construction thereby effecting considerable economiesin the manufacturing operations.

For purposes of illustration and in accordance with the preferredembodiment, a tool handle 40 formed of fiber-reinforced material such asresin impregnated fiberglass is shown as an elongated, straight,rod-like member of substantially uniform cross-section throughout itsentire length. The rod-like handle 40 is of generally rectangularcross-section and is provided with axially extending chamfer surfaces 42at each of its longitudinally extending four corners. The preferredhandle material for use in the assembly of the present invention ismolded glass fiber reinforced polyester. Such material is substantiallyless susceptible to dimensional variation under differing ambienthumidity conditions and exhibits higher tensile strength and greaterresistance to compressive forces than the conventionally employed woodenhandles. Extruded fiberglass filaments free of kinks extend continuouslyalong the handle in a substantially straight manner and constitute atleast sixty percent by weight and preferably seventy to seventy-fivepercent by weight of the handle. These continuous filaments or strandsare embedded within and encompassed by the resin to provide a smooth,aesthetically pleasing exterior appearance for the handle. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the handle may be provided with a side notch 44 at oneend to enable the bonding resin of the connection to freely flow thereinand form a mechanical interlock with the handle.

Since the handle 40 exhibits cross-sectional dimensions that aresubstantially smaller than the crosssectional dimensions of the eye 20at its entrance end 22, there is no direct contact between the handle 40and the walls of the eye when the handle is centrally located within theeye. As mentioned, the tool head connection of the present invention isdirected to those tools having no direct contact between the handle andthe tool head, i.e., the parts are sized to provide an annular space orclearance gap between the walls of the eye and the handle portionpositioned within the eye. In such an assembly it is of utmostimportance to maintain proper alignment between the striking face of thetool and the longitudinal axis of the handle in order to provide forproper operation of the tool as well as the appropriate balance, feel orheft thereof.

As mentioned, it is an advantageous feature of the present inventionthat a new and improved trim collar 46 is utilized in the connection andcan be used for the alignment operation. Referring particularly to FIG.4, the trim collar 46 is a pre-formed annular ring-like member ofgenerally rectangular configuration and constructed of suitable plasticmaterial. For example, good results have been obtained using a vinylplastic such as polyvinyl chloride plastic sold by B. F. GoodrichChemical Co. under the trademark Geon 88l4GP and having a durometervalue of 8OA-85A. The collar 46 is comprised of a concealed plug portion48 and an exposed trim portion 50 that not only assures a neat externalappearance at the entrance end of the eye but also firmly abuts the neck18 of the tool head at the entrance periphery of the eye to assure apositive seal for retaining the bonding resin within the eye and preventleakage thereof as the resin hardens. The concealed plug portion 48 ofthe collar exhibits substantially the same cross-sectional dimension asthe annular space defined by the walls of the eye at the entrance end 22and the surfaces of the handle 40 mounted therein. In fact, in practicethe dimensions of the concealed plug portion are slightly large than theannular space within which it must fit in order to provide the desiredforce fit or interference fit connection between the trim collar andboth the handle and the tool head.

The ring-like trim collar 46 defines a central, axially extendingaperture 52 having substantially the identical shape as the periphery ofthe tool handle 40. The aperture 52 is substantially uniform in sizethroughout the plug portion 48 but is provided with a slight divergingtaper 54 as it extends from the plug portion through the trim portion tothe lower end thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the tapered portion54 of the aperture 52 is sufficiently divergent so that the size of theaperture at the bottom of the trim collar 46 is slightly larger than theperiphery of the tool handle and permits smooth initial insertion of thehandle 40 into the aperture during the assembly operation.

The exterior of the concealed plug portion 48 is of rectangularconfiguration and is substantially identical in size and shape to theentrance end 22 of the eye. However. the external periphery of theconcealed plug portion 48 is slightly larger than the peripheral openingof the eye at its entrance end 22 so that upon insertion of the trimcollar 46 into the eye, a firm interference or force fit is affectedbetween the collar and the walls of the eye.

As mentioned the trim collar 46 is adapted to engage the handle 40 by aninterference fit and will provide a limited degree of handle alignmentas the handle is mounted in the eye of the tool head. To assist in thisaligning operation. the trim collar 46 is provided with a plurality ofhandle-aligning legs 56 intergrally projecting above the plug portion 48and located at the four corners of that generally rectangular member.The interior and exterior surfaces of the legs are coextensive with thecorresponding surfaces of the plug portion 48 and, as best shown in FIG.4, the inwardly facing surface 58 of each leg 56 is adapted to engagethe chamfer 42 on the corners of the tool handle 40. The surfaces 58have a slightly diverging taper which facilitates limited movement ofthe handle while simultaneously providing proper alignment and retentionthereof relative to the tool head upon mounting the handle 40 within theeye 20. The outermost edge of each leg is provided with a suitablechamfer 60 to permit ready insertion of the collar 46 into the entranceend 22 of the eye. As shown the collar is a low profile member and thetotal axial extent of the plug portion 48 and upstanding legs 56 is nolonger than shank portion 18. Thus the collar 46 will provide thedesired aligning function without extending into the percussion area ofthe tool head. In fact the collar does not extend beyond the break pointand stops far short of the axis of percussion 26 to provide no impacttransmitting function.

The exposed trim portion 50 of the collar 46 is provided with a shoulder62 extending outwardly from the concealed plug portion 48 atsubstantially a right angel thereto. When the collar is mounted on thetool head, the shoulder 62 rests against the end of shank l8 andpositively seals and conceals the periphery or entrance end 22 of theeye. A tapered exterior trim surface 64 extends downwardly from theshoulder 62 toward the bottom of the collar to provide a neat finishedappearance to the connection between the tool head and the handle.

As will be appreciated, the trim collar provides a secure fluid-tightseal at the entrance end of the eye to prevent leakage of the bondingresin 66 during the assembly of the tool. The resin held within theclearance gap rapidly hardens or cures to a solid impact resistantcondition and forms a firm connection between the handle and the toolhead. However, in accordance with the present invention it has beenadditionally found that the handle connection exhibits improveddurability when subjected to substantial nail pulling loads ifnon-crushable metal fillers 70 are inserted within the clearance gapdefined by the tool handle and the front and rear walls, 36,38 of theeye. Although the fillers 70, as best shown in FIG. 1, are ofwedge-shaped configuration, they do not provide a wedging function butmerely loosely rest within the clearance gap and assist in absorbing aportion of the compressive forces to which the connection is subjectedduring the nail pulling operation. This loose filler function isachieved by providing the fillers with a greater taper than is exhibitedby the clearance gap, thus permitting the innermost end 72 of the metalfiller to rest freely within the clearance gap and permit theformationof thin resinous layers between the filler and the confronting walls andsurfaces of the respective tool head and handle. As shown, the tiller 70is also provided with transversely extending notches 74 that permit theflow of resin therethrough to provide a mechanical interlock between thefiller 70 and the impact resistant epoxy resin 66. Similarly, theupstanding legs 56 of the trim collar 46 are also I provided withtransversely extending grooves or notches 76 for receiving the bondingresin 66 and completing the interlocked relationship between the handle40, the tool head 10 and the trim collar 46.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, variousmodifications, adaptations and variations of the foregoing specificdisclosure can be made without departing from the teaching of thepresent invention.

We claim:

1. A hand tool for percussive use comprising a tool head having astriking surface, an axis of percussion extending through said head fromsaid striking surface and a handle-receiving eye spaced from saidstriking surface and extending entirely through said head along an axisnormal to the axis of percussion, said eye having an entrance end and anouter end; a reinforced fiber handle having a portion positioned withinthe eye a sufficient distance to intersect said axis of percussion andextending outwardly from the entrance end of the eye, said handleportion being free of direct contact with the tool head to provide anannular space extending fully around the handle and axially along thehandle between the handle portion and the tool head; a preformed annulartrim collar sealably interconnecting the handle and the tool head at theentrance end of the eye comprised of an exposed trim portion and aconcealed plug portion having substantially the same crosssectionaldimension as the annular space and being disposed within the space toeffectively seal the space at the entrance end of the eye, said plugportion being of sufficient length to facilitate initial handlealignment and retention in said alignment upon mounting in said eye yetof an insufficient length to extend through the axis of percussion andbeing held in position by a force fit interconnection with the tool headwithin the eye, said trim portion including an outwardly projectingshoulder for engaging the tool head adjacent the periphery of the eye atthe entrance end thereof and a tapered exterior trim surface extendingfrom the shoulder toward the handle; and an impact resistant resindisposed within said annular space at said axis or percussion forbondably joining said head, said handle and said trim collar.

2. The hand tool of claim 1 wherein the trim collar includes a pluralityof integral handle-aligning legs extending inwardly of the entrance endof the eye from the plug portion, said legs being spaced around thebandle for secure aligning engagement therewith.

3. The hand tool of claim 1 wherein the handlereceiving eye is ofgenerally rectangular cross-section and is defined by opposed wallsextending axially from the entrance end of the eye in substantialparallelism for a distance insufficient to reach the axis of percussionof the tool head and diverging toward the outer end as they intersectthe axis of percussion, said handle portion being of generallyrectangular cross-section and said plug portion including a plurality ofintegral aligning legs extending inwardly of the entrance end of the eyeand engaging the handle and the walls of the eye at diagonally spacedcorners thereof.

4. The hand tool of claim 1 wherein the handle is a reinforced glassfiber rod of uniform generally rectangular cross-section throughout itslength and the trim collar is provided with integral upstandingalignment legs engaging the corners of the handle.

5. A hand tool for percussive use comprising a tool head having astriking surface, an axis of percussion extending through said head fromsaid striking surface and a handle-receiving eye spaced from saidstriking surface and extending through said head along an axis normal tothe axis of percussion; a handle having a portion positioned within theeye a sufficient distance to intersect said axis of percussion, saidhandle portion being free of direct contact with the tool head toprovide an annular space extending fully around the handle between thehandle portion and the tool head; a preformed annular trim collarsealably interconnecting the handle and the tool head comprised of anexposed trim portion and a concealed plug portion having substantiallythe same cross-sectional dimension as the annular space and beingdisposed within the space, said plug portion being of sufficient lengthto facilitate initial handle alignment and retention in said alignmentupon mounting in said eye yet of an insufficient length to extendthrough the axis of percussion and being held in position by a force fitinterconnection with the handle portion and tool head within the eye,said trim portion engaging the tool head adjacent the periphery of theeye at the end thereof; and an impact resistant resin disposed withinsaid annular space at said axis of percussion for bondably joining saidhead and said handle.

6. A hand tool for percussive use comprising a tool head having astriking surface, an axis of percussion extending through said head fromsaid striking surface and a handle-receiving eye spaced from saidstriking surface and extending entirely through said head along an axisnormal to the axis of percussion, said eye having an entrance end and anouter end; a reinforced fiber handle having a portion positioned withinthe eye a sufficient distance to intersect said axis of percussion andextending outwardly from the entrance end of the eye,

I said handle portion being free of direct contact with the tool head toprovide an annular space extending fully around the handle and axiallyalong the handle between the handle portion and the tool head; apreformed annular trim collar sealably interconnecting the handle andthe tool head at the entrance end of the eye comprised of an exposedtrimportion and a concealed plug portion having substantially the samecrosssectional dimension as the annular space and being disposed withinthe space to effectively seal the space at the entrance end of the eye,said plug portion being of an insufficient length to extend through theaxis of percussion and being held in position by a force fitinterconnection with the tool head within the eye, said trim portionincluding an outwardly projecting shoulder for engaging the tool headadjacent the periphery of the eye at the entrance end thereof and atapered exterior trim surface extending from the shoulder toward thehandle; and an impact resistant resin disposed within said annular spaceat said axis of percussion for bondably joining said head, said handleand said trim collar of said tool including noncrushable filler meansdisposed within the annular space and intersecting the axis ofpercussion, said filler means being bondably retained by the impactresistant resin and enhancing the durability of the tool undercompression load conditions.

7. A hand tool for percussive use comprising a tool head having astriking surface, an axis of percussion extending through said head fromsaid striking surface and a handle-receiving eye spaced from saidstriking surface and extending entirely through said head along an axisnormal to the axis of percussion, said eye having an entrance end and anouter end; a reinforced fiber handle having a portion positioned withinthe eyea sufficient distance to intersect said axis of percussion andextending outwardly from the entrance end of the eye, said handleportion being free of direct contact with the tool head to provide anannular space extending fully around the handle and axially along thehandle between the handle portion and the tool head; a pre-' formedannular trim collar sealably interconnecting the handle and the toolhead at the entrance end of the eye comprised of an exposed trim portionand a concealed plug portion having substantially the samecrosssectional dimension as the annular space and being disposed withinthe space to effective seal the space at the entrance end of the eye,said plug portion being of an insufficient length to extend through theaxis of percussion and being held in position by a force fitinterconnection with the tool head within the eye, said trim portionincluding an outwardly projecting shoulder for engaging the tool headadjacent the periphery of the eye at the entrance end thereof and atapered exterior trim surface extending from the shoulder toward thehandle; and an impact resistant resin disposed within said annular spaceat said axis of percussion for bondably joining said head, said handleand said trim collar said trim collar being a plastic material and thesaid plug portion being provided with laterally extending recesses, saidresin being received within said recesses for interlocking the trimcollar thereto.

8. A hand tool for percussive use comprising a tool head having astriking surface, an axis of percussion extending through said head fromsaid striking surface and a handle-receiving eye spaced from saidstriking surface and extending entirely through said head along an axisnormal to the axis of percussion, said eye having an entrance end and anouter end; a reinforced fiber handle having a portion positioned withinthe eye a sufficient distance to intersect said axis of percussion andextending outwardly from the entrance end of the eye, said handleportion being free of direct contact with the tool head to provide anannular space extending fully around the handle and axially along thehandle between the handle portion and the tool head; a preformed annulartrim collar sealably interconnecting the handle and the tool head at theentrance end of the eye comprised of an exposed trim portion and aconcealed plug portion having substantially the same cross sectionaldimension as the annular space and being disposed within the space toeffective seal the space at the entrance end of the eye, said plugportion being of an insufficient length to extend through the axis ofpercussion and being held in position by a force fit interconnectionwith the tool head within the eye, said trim portion including anoutwardly projecting shoulder for engaging the tool head adjacent theperiphery of the eye at the entrance end thereof and a tapered exteriortrim surface extending from the shoulder toward the handle; and animpact resistant resin disposed within said annular space at said axisof percussion for bondably joining said head, said handle and said trimcollar said tool including wedge-shaped metal fillers, the eye in thetool head diverging toward the outer end thereof, the fillers having agreater taper than the gap defined by the handle portion and the eyewhereby the innermost end of the fillers are spaced from the handleportion and the tool head and the resin is disposed therein.

9. A hand tool for percussive use comprising a tool head having astriking surface, an axis of percussion extending through said head fromsaid striking surface and a handle-receiving eye spaced from saidstriking surface and extending entirely through said head along an axisnormal to the axis of percussion, said eye having an entrance end and anouter end; a reinforced fiber handle having a portion positioned withinthe eye a sufficient distance to intersect said axis of percussion andextending outwardly from the entrance end of the eye.

said handle portion being free of direct contact with the tool head toprovide an annular space extending fully around the handle and axiallyalong the handle between the handle portion and the tool head; apreformed annular trim collar sealably interconnecting the handle andthe tool head at the entrance end of the eye comprised of an exposedtrim portion and a concealed plug portion having substantially the samecrosssectional dimension as the annular space and being disposed withinthe space to effective seal the space at the entrance end of the eye,said plug portion being of an insufficient length to extend through theaxis of percussion and being held in position by a force fitinterconnection with the tool head within the eye, said trim portionincluding an outwardly projecting shoulder for engaging the tool headadjacent the periphery of the eye at the entrance end thereof and atapered exterior trim surface extending from the shoulder toward thehandle; and an impact resistant resin disposed within said annular spaceat said axis of percussion for bondably joining said head, said handleand said trim collar said trim collar being a plastic material and beingprovided with laterally extending recesses adapted to assist inmechanically interlocking the trim collar within the eye of the

1. A hand tool for percussive use comprising a tool head having astriking surface, an axis of percussion extending through said head fromsaid striking surface and a handle-receiving eye spaced from saidstriking surface and extending entirely through said head along an axisnormal to the axis of percussion, said eye having an entrance end and anouter end; a reinforced fiber handle having a portion positioned withinthe eye a sufficient distance to intersect said axis of percussion andextending outwardly from the entrance end of the eye, said handleportion being free of direct contact with the tool head to provide anannular space extending fully around the handle and axially along thehandle between the handle portion and the tool head; a preformed annulartrim collar sealably interconnecting the handle and the tool head at theentrance end of the eye comprised of an exposed trim portion and aconcealed plug portion having substantially the same cross-sectionaldimension as the annular space and being disposed within the space toeffectively seal the space at the entrance end of the eye, said plugportion being of sufficient length to facilitate initial handlealignment and retention in said alignment upon mounting in said eye yetof an insufficient length to extend through the axis of percussion andbeing held in position by a force fit interconnection with the tool headwithin the eye, said trim portion including an outwardly projectingshoulder for engaging the tool head adjacent the periphery of the eye atthe entrance end thereof and a tapered exterior trim surface extendingfrom the shoulder toward the handle; and an impact resistant resindisposed within said annular space at said axis or percussion forbondably joining said head, said handle and said trim collar.
 2. Thehand tool of claim 1 wherein the trim collar includes a plurality ofintegral handle-aligning legs extending inwardly of the entrance end ofthe eye from the plug portion, said legs being spaced around the handlefor secure aligning engagement therewith.
 3. The hand tool of claim 1wherein the handle-receiving eye is of generally rectangularcross-section and is defined by opposed walls extending axially from theentrance end of the eye in substantial parallelism for a distanceinsufficient to reach the axis of percussion of the tool head anddiverging toward the outer end as they intersect the axis of percussion,said handle portion being of generally rectangular cross-section andsaid plug portion including a plurality of integral aligning legsextending inwardly of the entrance end of the eye and engaging thehandle and the walls of the eye at diagonally spaced corners thereof. 4.The hand tool of claim 1 wherein the handle is a reinforced glass fiberrod of uniform generally rectangular cross-section throughout its lengthand the trim collar is provided with integral upstanding alignment legsengaging the corners of the handle.
 5. A hand tool for percussive usecomprising a tool head having a striking surface, an axis of percussionextending through said head from said striking surface and ahandle-receiving eye spaced from said striking surface and extendingthrough said head along an axis normal to the axis of percussion; ahandle having a portion positioned within the eye a sufficient distanceto intersect said axis of percussion, said handle portion being free ofdirect contact with the tool head to provide an annular space extendingfully around the handle between the handle portion and the tool head; apreformed annular trim collar sealably interconnecting the handle andthe tool head comprised of an exposed trim portion and a concealeD plugportion having substantially the same cross-sectional dimension as theannular space and being disposed within the space, said plug portionbeing of sufficient length to facilitate initial handle alignment andretention in said alignment upon mounting in said eye yet of aninsufficient length to extend through the axis of percussion and beingheld in position by a force fit interconnection with the handle portionand tool head within the eye, said trim portion engaging the tool headadjacent the periphery of the eye at the end thereof; and an impactresistant resin disposed within said annular space at said axis ofpercussion for bondably joining said head and said handle.
 6. A handtool for percussive use comprising a tool head having a strikingsurface, an axis of percussion extending through said head from saidstriking surface and a handle-receiving eye spaced from said strikingsurface and extending entirely through said head along an axis normal tothe axis of percussion, said eye having an entrance end and an outerend; a reinforced fiber handle having a portion positioned within theeye a sufficient distance to intersect said axis of percussion andextending outwardly from the entrance end of the eye, said handleportion being free of direct contact with the tool head to provide anannular space extending fully around the handle and axially along thehandle between the handle portion and the tool head; a preformed annulartrim collar sealably interconnecting the handle and the tool head at theentrance end of the eye comprised of an exposed trim portion and aconcealed plug portion having substantially the same cross-sectionaldimension as the annular space and being disposed within the space toeffectively seal the space at the entrance end of the eye, said plugportion being of an insufficient length to extend through the axis ofpercussion and being held in position by a force fit interconnectionwith the tool head within the eye, said trim portion including anoutwardly projecting shoulder for engaging the tool head adjacent theperiphery of the eye at the entrance end thereof and a tapered exteriortrim surface extending from the shoulder toward the handle; and animpact resistant resin disposed within said annular space at said axisof percussion for bondably joining said head, said handle and said trimcollar of said tool including noncrushable filler means disposed withinthe annular space and intersecting the axis of percussion, said fillermeans being bondably retained by the impact resistant resin andenhancing the durability of the tool under compression load conditions.7. A hand tool for percussive use comprising a tool head having astriking surface, an axis of percussion extending through said head fromsaid striking surface and a handle-receiving eye spaced from saidstriking surface and extending entirely through said head along an axisnormal to the axis of percussion, said eye having an entrance end and anouter end; a reinforced fiber handle having a portion positioned withinthe eye a sufficient distance to intersect said axis of percussion andextending outwardly from the entrance end of the eye, said handleportion being free of direct contact with the tool head to provide anannular space extending fully around the handle and axially along thehandle between the handle portion and the tool head; a preformed annulartrim collar sealably interconnecting the handle and the tool head at theentrance end of the eye comprised of an exposed trim portion and aconcealed plug portion having substantially the same cross-sectionaldimension as the annular space and being disposed within the space toeffective seal the space at the entrance end of the eye, said plugportion being of an insufficient length to extend through the axis ofpercussion and being held in position by a force fit interconnectionwith the tool head within the eye, said trim portion including anoutwardly projecting shoulder for engaging the tool head adjacent theperipHery of the eye at the entrance end thereof and a tapered exteriortrim surface extending from the shoulder toward the handle; and animpact resistant resin disposed within said annular space at said axisof percussion for bondably joining said head, said handle and said trimcollar said trim collar being a plastic material and the said plugportion being provided with laterally extending recesses, said resinbeing received within said recesses for interlocking the trim collarthereto.
 8. A hand tool for percussive use comprising a tool head havinga striking surface, an axis of percussion extending through said headfrom said striking surface and a handle-receiving eye spaced from saidstriking surface and extending entirely through said head along an axisnormal to the axis of percussion, said eye having an entrance end and anouter end; a reinforced fiber handle having a portion positioned withinthe eye a sufficient distance to intersect said axis of percussion andextending outwardly from the entrance end of the eye, said handleportion being free of direct contact with the tool head to provide anannular space extending fully around the handle and axially along thehandle between the handle portion and the tool head; a preformed annulartrim collar sealably interconnecting the handle and the tool head at theentrance end of the eye comprised of an exposed trim portion and aconcealed plug portion having substantially the same cross-sectionaldimension as the annular space and being disposed within the space toeffective seal the space at the entrance end of the eye, said plugportion being of an insufficient length to extend through the axis ofpercussion and being held in position by a force fit interconnectionwith the tool head within the eye, said trim portion including anoutwardly projecting shoulder for engaging the tool head adjacent theperiphery of the eye at the entrance end thereof and a tapered exteriortrim surface extending from the shoulder toward the handle; and animpact resistant resin disposed within said annular space at said axisof percussion for bondably joining said head, said handle and said trimcollar said tool including wedge-shaped metal fillers, the eye in thetool head diverging toward the outer end thereof, the fillers having agreater taper than the gap defined by the handle portion and the eyewhereby the innermost end of the fillers are spaced from the handleportion and the tool head and the resin is disposed therein.
 9. A handtool for percussive use comprising a tool head having a strikingsurface, an axis of percussion extending through said head from saidstriking surface and a handle-receiving eye spaced from said strikingsurface and extending entirely through said head along an axis normal tothe axis of percussion, said eye having an entrance end and an outerend; a reinforced fiber handle having a portion positioned within theeye a sufficient distance to intersect said axis of percussion andextending outwardly from the entrance end of the eye, said handleportion being free of direct contact with the tool head to provide anannular space extending fully around the handle and axially along thehandle between the handle portion and the tool head; a preformed annulartrim collar sealably interconnecting the handle and the tool head at theentrance end of the eye comprised of an exposed trim portion and aconcealed plug portion having substantially the same cross-sectionaldimension as the annular space and being disposed within the space toeffective seal the space at the entrance end of the eye, said plugportion being of an insufficient length to extend through the axis ofpercussion and being held in position by a force fit interconnectionwith the tool head within the eye, said trim portion including anoutwardly projecting shoulder for engaging the tool head adjacent theperiphery of the eye at the entrance end thereof and a tapered exteriortrim surface extending from the shoulder toward the handle; and animpact resistant resin disposed within said annular space at said axisof percussion for bondably joining said head, said handle and said trimcollar said trim collar being a plastic material and being provided withlaterally extending recesses adapted to assist in mechanicallyinterlocking the trim collar within the eye of the tool head.